Mallow man urges people to back Trócaire festive appeal
CHARITY AIMS TO BRING RELIEF TO MILLIONS IN WAR-TORN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
A CHARITY worker from north Cork has appealed for people from the Rebel County to lend their support to a Christmas campaign to help bring some light into the lives of people in war torn countries across the globe.
Tom Crowley from Mallow is the local face of Trócaire’s annual Christmas appeal, which this year is focussed on helping those living in some of the worlds most volatile hotspots who are forced to live under the constant shadow of extreme violence and starvation.
For decades Trócaire has supported individuals in more than 20 developing countries, helping them to live with the kind of independence and dignity that most of us take for granted.
In the past year alone the charity almost 3 million across 23 countries people have benefited from their humanitarian assistance programmes in countries including Syria, Myanmar, South Sudan and Yemen.
This years appeal comes as some 14 million people in Yemen are facing starvation due to the worst famine the world has seen for a century.
“This is a humanitarian crisis that is completely man-made and the result of conflict, the closure of trade routes and the destruction of the local economy. In Yemen a child dies every 10-minutes from a preventable disease,” said Tom Crowley.
“In South Sudan a brutal fiveyear civil war has seen hundreds of thousands die and more than 4.5 million people forced to flee their homes for survival,” he added.
Mr Crowley said that Trócaire is working with local organisations in both countries, as well as other across the globe to help people caught up in conflict and those who have fled war to build a new life.
However, this is only possible with the help of donations from the public, with Mr Crowley saying that the impact these donation could not be underestimated.
“I would like to say thank you to the people of Cork for their tremendous support. However, there is much more to be done. This Christmas will be one of fear for millions of families around the world and as we look forward to spending time with loved ones, we would ask people to also think about those across the world facing fear and war,” said Mr Crowley.
“Whether it is the fear of starvation, violence of disease, at this special time of the year, no one should be afraid,” he added.
To support Trócaire’s Christmas Appeal people can donate at www. trocaire.org/Christmas or by calling 1850 408408.
“Trócaire is working to help bring lifesaving relief but we can’t do it without the generous support of the public. I would appeal to people across the county to help us bring food, water, shelter and safety to those desperately in need this Christmas and beyond,” said Mr Crowley.